Château de Réduit, Historic State House Residence

Le Château de Réduit, also known today as the State House, is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius. It is located in Réduit, Moka, within a large estate of about 240 acres. The site was originally developed in the French colonial period by Pierre Félix Barthélemy David, Governor of Isle de France, and the château was built in 1749 as a defensive retreat during a period of Anglo-French rivalry in the Indian Ocean. Over time, Le Réduit became much more than a fortified residence. In 1769, Governor Dumas made it the permanent residence of the Governor, and it later served successive French and British colonial governors. After independence, it was used by the Governor-General of Mauritius, and since Mauritius became a republic in 1992, it has served as the official residence of the President. The estate is also known for its gardens and heritage features, including Le Temple de l'Amour, built in 1921 by Governor Sir Hesketh Bell in memory of the original founder of Le Réduit.